Removing dents from Argosy steel end cap

[VtTim]

Hello gang. I have an Argosy with a couple of dents. One seems fairly minor while the other is pretty bad. Both dents are in the rear end cap. The one on the curbside corner is particularly ugly. What can I do about them? Do I have to take out the interior and pound them out from inside?
Any ideas would be appreciated.

[overlander63]

Tiger hair, bondo, an air sander, and some paint.

[VtTim]

Originally Posted by overlander63

Tiger hair, bondo, an air sander, and some paint.

Ok. Paint, I know what that is. Bondo, yup. Tiger Hair? Not sure how to get that, there aren't many tigers roaming the woods of Vermont. Air sander? Not exactly sure what that is either. Help out a layman here...

[Jim Foster]

Those dents look very deep. I would not fill them. I would use a slide hammer/dent puller from the outside and get the panels to nearly their original shape, then weld the holes closed. Sand the paint off and fill and sand as necessary. Care must be taken not to pull the metal out too far.
Last resort, remove the interior and push out from the inside, again care must be taken not to "make more metal". Pulling or pushing can stretch the metal, and "shrinking" sheet metal can only be done with access to both sides.

Others may have a different idea.

[Jim Foster]

Originally Posted by VtTim

Ok. Paint, I know what that is. Bondo, yup. Tiger Hair? Not sure how to get that, there aren't many tigers roaming the woods of Vermont. Air sander? Not exactly sure what that is either. Help out a layman here...

You may want to consult your local body shop and get an estimate.

[Jim Foster]

Another thought......
Find another trailer that is trashed except for the end caps, and switch the end caps.

[idroba]

Tim: I would also concur that maybe a trip to a body shop might be in order. Since they are steel caps, they would be serviced like any steel auto body. That is different from the Aluminum end caps on an Airstream which I would never take to a body shop.

Do it yourself? Hmmm, probably the drilling and slide hammer idea along with bondo would be the way. I would concur that if you don't have to take out the interior end cap you will be much better off.

[Colin H]

Originally Posted by VtTim

Hello gang. I have an Argosy with a couple of dents. One seems fairly minor while the other is pretty bad. Both dents are in the rear end cap. The one on the curbside corner is particularly ugly. What can I do about them? Do I have to take out the interior and pound them out from inside?
Any ideas would be appreciated.

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Hi Tim,
Remove the end cap & bring it over. We have an English Wheel & can easily remove those dents to a level than would only require minor bodywork before painting.
Thanks,
Colin